Remco Evenepoel confirmed for Lombardia battle against Pogacar - "We aren’t starting as the main favourites"

Remco Evenepoel is returning to Il Lombardia. In 2020 he crashed into a ravine and suffered career-threatening injuries, and in 2021 he was only 19th. Three years later he returns to be a headliner in the battle against Tadej Pogacar, and will end his season in the Italian monument.

Although it must be said that expectations aren't the highest. Although at the World Championships he showed strong form on both events, since making the trip to Italy he has struggled. He abandoned the Giro dell'Emilia with an eye problem but at the Coppa Bernocchi he lacked the legs to make the difference. Like Primoz Roglic, it seems like both have severely struggled with the wet and cold conditions - whilst Pogacar thrives in them. The World Champion's armour looks impenetrable into Saturday but Evenepoel is one of the few who can also hope for victory.

“It goes without saying that on Saturday we’ll take on one of the toughest races of the season. The eight climbs on the course will gradually whittle down the peloton, and the presence of Sormano – the longest ascent of the day – inside the last 60 kilometers is sure to light up the race," team DS Davide Bramati anticipated. "We aren’t starting as the main favourites, but we are determined to do a good race, show the Wolfpack spirit and score a solid result as we bring down the curtain over our European season”.

Quick-Step is having a strong lineup however including Mattia Cattaneo who has been on a tremendous run of form, William Lecerf Junior who won the under-23 race last year, Ilan van Wilder who was Tre Valli Varesine's winner last year, Mauri Vansevenant who recently won at the Tour de Luxemoburg and local rider Fausto Masnada who was second to Pogacar in 2021. Pieter Serry concludes the lineup.

Soudal - Quick-Step for Il Lombardia:
Remco Evenepoel
Mattia Cattaneo
William Junior Lecerf
Fausto Masnada
Pieter Serry
Ilan Van Wilder
Mauri Vansevenant